'Unacceptable': Almost 350 vacant council houses in Cork City
Of Total 11,000 — City's Vacancy Rate Of Figures Are 16% Total 348 Stock, Ie Show Housing Of File Unit A The Mark A Picture: 3 Stedman/rollingnews Vacant
Almost 350 council homes are vacant across Cork city, the latest figures show.
The data was provided in response to a question from Social Democrats councilor Pádraig Rice at this month's council meeting.
The figures show of the city's total 11,000-unit housing stock, a total of 348 are vacant — a vacancy rate of 3.16% — with a breakdown showing:
- 44 properties are in the South Central ward;
- 99 are in the North East ward;
- And 143 are in the North West ward, with 122 of those under repair.
"It’s deeply frustrating to see almost 350 council houses vacant," Mr Rice said.
"I have seen houses that neighbours have told me have been vacant for years. This has to change.
“Bringing empty homes back into use can be the fastest, most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to deliver desperately needed social homes," he said.
The council's director of services in housing operations, Niall Ó Donnabháin, said the council was "taking appropriate steps to expedite the turnaround time of vacant properties".
"It is important to note that the re-letting time includes the time taken to both repair and upgrade vacated properties to an acceptable letting standard, and to re-let those properties in line with the council's scheme of lettings," he said.
"As such, the time taken to re-let a property is dependent on the condition of a property at the time of return and how long it takes to re-let a particular property depending on uptake and acceptance by applicants on the social housing list.
"A comprehensive effort to improve the turnaround time, based on process and system improvements, is ongoing."
However, Mr Rice said more needed to be done.
“Right now, rents in Cork are unaffordable, and house prices are far too high for people on average incomes. Many people depend on social housing," he said.
“We need far more houses to be built — but not any kind of housing —we need more affordable and social housing. It is the only way to end the housing crisis."
“Every day, I meet families who are in dire need of housing. There is a lot of overcrowding, and many people in their 30s and 40s are back home living with their parents. They really want a home of their own.
"Cork City Council has a key role to play in building these new sustainable communities.
"The council must significantly increase the number of homes it builds as a matter of urgency. It’s not happening at the pace that we need. In the meantime, we have to make full use of all existing houses."